Counting devices

ABSTRACT

Devices for counting paper money, food stamps, and the like which include a cyclically operable counting head designed to displace seriatim succeeding items in a stack of items to be counted and a register which is actuated as the counting head operates to count the items in the stack.

[4 1 Feb. 18,1975

3,597,594 10/1968 235/98 B X 3,702,925 11/1972 Anderson et 235/98 R 3,711,015 235/98 R 1 COUNTING DEVICES [75] Inventor: Robert D. Young, Accord, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Canyon Research Corporation, Accord, N.Y.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 235/98 R 235/98 R 235/98 R 1,041,049 9/1966 Great Britain 555,501 4/1958 Canada.............. 1,506,315 10/1967 France [22] Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 350,974

Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Vit W. Miska 6 21 11 7|: 21 96 RB m 9 U St Uh NH 55 [58] Field of Search.. 235/98 R, 98 B, 98 C, 92 PK,

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies 235/27, 136, 32, 21 & Kurz [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ABSTRACT Devices for counting paper money, food stamps, and 235/98 R the like which include a cyclically operable counting 23 5 /92 head designed to displace seriatim succeeding items in 235/98 R a stack of items to be counted and a register which is 235/98 R actuated as the counting head operates to count the 235/ R items in the stack. 235/98 R X Palmer.......................... 24 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures COMPONENTS 2,417,074 3/1947 Green 2,656,053 10/1953 Bishop 2,805,825 9/1957 .lorgensen et 2,810,575 10/1957 Ho1mcn..,.............. 3,193,196 7/1965 Merrill et 211...

3,239,138 3/1966 Loeffler 3,297,316 1/1967 Haines.......

PATENTED 3.866828 SHEET 1 OF 7 PATENTED FEB I 8 GT5 SHEET 2 U? 7 PATEHTED FEB I 81975 SHEEI 3 OF 7 E HTCTRIW COMPONENTS FIG.4

SHEET S [1? 7 PATENIED FEB 1 8 ms I .1 866 828 sum 8 OF 7 F 5 b 72 62 e9 TMZ FIG.12

BATCH /252 COUNTER COUNTING DEVICES This invention relates to counting devices and, more particularly, to devices for counting the number of items in a stack of paper money, food stamps, or similar items.

Devices for counting items of the type mentioned above have heretofore been proposed. One type of prior art device includes a vacuum pick-up which separates like portions of succeeding items from the stack of items being counted and a register which is advanced as each item is separated to provide a count of the number of items thus separated. A typical example of this type of counting device is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,241,757 issued Mar. 22, 1966, to Uchiyama for PAPER MONEY COUNTING APPARATUS.

Bills, food stamps, and similar items often adhere to each other to such an extent that both the item contacted by the vacuum pick-up and the succeeding item will be displaced at one time. As a result, the second item will not be counted, and the count of the items in the stack will not be accurate.

Counting devices of the character in question which employ strictly mechanical principles and are therefore free of disadvantages of those employing a vacuum pick-up are disclosed in Auslegeschrift No. 1,288,345 published Jan. 30, 1969, and entitled VORRICHTUNG ZUM ZAHLEN VON PAPIERBOGEN, KARTONEN UND PAPPEN and in Patentschrift 239,888 granted Oct. 23, 1911, and entitled VORRICHTUNG ZUM ZAHLEN VON PAPIERBOGEN, KARTONEN UND PAPPEN and in Patentschrift 239,888 granted Oct. 23, 1911, and entitled VORRICHTUNG ZUM ZAHLEN VON BANKNOTEN UND ZINSSCHEINEN. Neither counting device has the features 1 consider necessary for the applications for which the present invention is intended.

Representative of other prior art devices designed for purposes akin to those for which the present invention is intended is the counter disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,214,096 issued Oct. 26, 1965, to Buchholz for PAPER CURRENCY COUNTER. The Buchholz counter is a complex machine and would undoubtedly be expensive to manufacture and maintain and, also, subject to breakdown.

My prior US. Pat. No. 3,711,015 issued Jan. 16, 1973, discloses certain novel counting devices in which the drawback of those employing a vacuum pick-up is eliminated and accuracy insured by use of a novel counter head which first positively engages and deforms the item being counted at one end thereof to insure that the succeeding item does not adhere to it. The counter head then displaces the end of the item; and a register is advanced, completing the cycle.

This deformation of the item being counted and the displacement of an end of the item is also carried out in a manner such that it is accomplished in the same fashion in each item in a stack thereof. This eliminates a major cause of inaccuracies in the operation of and makes my earlier disclosed counters more accurate than those of the character disclosed in the two German publications identified above.

The counters disclosed in my issued patent are considerably less complex than those of the character described in the above-cited Buchholz patent. This is an obvious advantage from the standpoints of initial and operating cost and reliability of operation.

Other advantages of my previously disclosed counting devices are: portability; ease of operation, especially in the insertion and removal of stacks of items to be counted; and automatic termination of the counting sequence when the last of the items in a stack thereof has been counted.

1 have now invented novel improved counting devices intended for the same purposes as and having the advantages of those disclosed in my issued patent. These improved counters, in addition, are inherently even more accurate and also easier to operate; and they have increased counting capability and an improved arrangement for insuring that the counting is terminated when the last item in a stack is counted.

My improved counters are like those 1 previously patented to the extent that they have a cyclically operable mechanism which, in succeeding cycles, separates like ends of successive items from the stack and the end of the last item from the support on which the stack is disposed.

In my patented counting devices the number of cycles made by the counter head was counted, furnishing a count of the ends separated by the counter head and therefore the number of items in the stack. The novel, improved counting devices disclosed herein differ in that the end of the item being separated engages an actuator for and closes a counter actuating switch during the separation process. Therefore, unless the end of the item is actually separated, the counter will not be actuated. This makes the counters of the present invention inherently more accurate than those patented earlier.

The improved arrangement for terminating the counting upon the separation of the last item from the support in the counters disclosed herein takes the form of a control circuit which includes a relay having a biased open contact in the counter motor circuit, a control element which interrupts the supply of power to the relay when separation of the last item occurs, and components for detecting such separation. These are a light source and a photocell detector onto which the light is reflected until the end of the last item is separated from the source. This interrupts the reflection of the light, and causes the control element to become non-conductive.

This occurs slightly before the counter head reaches its initial or rest position. 1 accordingly preferably include in the control circuit an auxiliary power source operable at that point to keep the relay energized and its contact closed until the motor can operate the counter head mechanism to the rest position.

Yet another control feature is a novel arrangement including a press-to-start switch for energizing the above-mentioned relay to initiate the counting operation. Associated with this switch is a holding circuit which then keeps the relay energized until thecounting operation is completed.

The circuitry for starting and stopping the counting operation just described provides greater accuracy and, also, eliminates the mechanical clutch employed in my previously patented counting devices. Thus, the counting devices of the present invention are simpler and more trouble-free than the latter as well as less expensive to manufacture.

As an option, provision may be made in the counting devices disclosed herein for batch counting. ln this version of the invention the counter automatically stops the counting operation when a preselected number of items in a stack thereof has been counted.

The counting devices disclosed in my issued patent have a stationary support for the stacks of items to be counted and a holddown device for pressing the stack against the support. Depression of an operator accessible handle elevates the holddown device and certain components of the cyclically operable counter mechanism so that stacks of items to be counted can be readily disposed on and removed from the support.

In the counting devices disclosed hereinl preferably employ in place of the components just described a movable platform which is biased into operative association with the counter head. The operator can displace the support away from the counter head to place items on the support and remove them therefrom. A handle provided to facilitate moving the platform also serves as a holddown, eliminating the separate component employed for this purpose in my patented counting devices. The use of the displaceable support also eliminates the necessity of making the counter head components displaceable and the mechanism needed to elevate and lower them.

Thus, by virtue of employing the novel arrangement just described, the novel counting devices disclosed herein are less complex and less likely to malfunction than those I previously patented.

The novel counting devices of the present invention are also like those in my issued patent to the extent that they have a counter head which includes a pusher mechanism for displacing the ends of the item being counted to form a loop therein and a rotatable pick-up member which moves into the loop to separate the end of the item. However, the counting devices disclosed herein feature an improved and simpler pusher mechanism, which reduces the cost of the counting device and makes its operation more reliable and trouble-free.

Also, the counting devices of the present invention are preferably provided with an improved pick-up member which makes the counter head capable of effecting plural separations per revolution. This is important in that it significantly increases the capacity of the counting device at a very modest cost.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the primary object of this invention resides in the provision of novel, improved devices for counting the numbers of items in stacks thereof.

Other important objects of the invention include the provision of counting devices in accord with the juststated primary object:

1. which are simple.

2. which operate reliably.

3. which are not susceptible to malfunction.

4. which, in conjunction with the foregoing objects, are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain and which have a relatively long service life.

5. which are characterized by ease and simplicity of operation.

6. in which the counting operation is automatically terminated when the last item is counted and in which provision is made for thereafter automatically restoring operating components of the device to rest positions.

7. which, in conjunction with the foregoing object, have a novel and improved arrangement for terminating the counting operation.

8. which operate by displacing like portions of succeeding items from the stack being counted and the last item in the stack from the support of which it is disposed and by counting the number of like portions so separated and in which provision is made for changing the count only if the item is actually separated.

9. which, at the same operating speed, have a higher counting capacity than counting devices such as those disclosed in my issued U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,015.

10. in which provision may be made for automatically producing batches containing preselected numbers of items.

11. which have novel arrangements for supporting the items to be counted and for retaining them on the support which result in a significant reduction of the number of components that are necessary and in more reliable operation.

12. which have a simpler and more reliable loop forming mechanism than the counting devices disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,711,015.

13. which otherwise have all the advantages of the counting devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,015.

14. which have various combinations of the foregoing attributes.

Other important objects and features and further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a counting device embodying and constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the counter;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the counter, taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the counter with its casing broken away to show certain of its internal components;

FIG. 5 is a section through the counter taken to show the details of a counter head employed in it;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the counter head with a pickup member incorporated in it removed to better show its other components;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but with the moving components of the counter head as they are positioned at a different point in the counter head operating cycle;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the counter head with certain components broken away to show the details of a detector incorporated in the counter head;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the counter head designed to show the details of a pusher mechanism incorporated in it;

FIG. 10a is a fragmentary side view of the pusher mechanism and certain associated components;

FIG. 10b is a view similar to FIG. 10a but with the' pusher mechanism at a different point in its operating cycle;

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of the counting device;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of the circuit for an electromechanical counter employed in the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary electrical schematic for a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 14 depict a counting device or counter 18 constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention and including a base 20 to which feet 211 of a non-marring material are attached. Mounted on the base are a vertically displaceable platform 22 for supporting a stack 24 of items 26 to be counted, a cyclically operable counter head 28 drive-connected to a motor M30, and a register or counter 32 for showing the number of items counted. A removable cover 34 surrounds the majority of the components mounted on base 20.

Operation of counting device 18 is controlled by an on-off switch S36, a switch S38 which is momentarily closed to initiate the counting operation and then released, and circuitry including a light source 40 and a photocell detector 42 (see FIGS. 5 and 11) for terminating the counting sequence when the last item in a stack is counted.

Counting device 18 also includes a pivotally mounted lever 44 for displacing platform 22 away from counter head 28 so that stacks of items to be counted can be placed on it and stacks of counted items removed. As best shown in FIG. 3, lever 44 also serves as a hold down, keeping the items being counted properly positioned on platform 22.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and, 49, and a and b, the major components of counter head 28 include a base plate or support 45, a pusher mechanism 46 mounted on the support, and a rotatable pick-up member 48 (see FIG. 4). Also mounted on the base plate 45 of the counter head are a conventional sub-miniature switch S50 and an actuating mechanism 52 therefor. As shown in FIG. 12, switch S50 is also incorporated in the operating circuit for counter 32.

It is the function of pusher mechanism 46 to first en gage the end of the item being counted and break any seal between it and the item thereadjacent. The pusher mechanism then displaces the end of the item being counted to form a loop therein as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b.

Pick-up member 48 has two, elongated, integral pickup fingers 53 and 54. As the pick-up member rotates, one or the other of these fingers slides into the loop formed by the pusher mechanism. An integral, wedgelike part 55 or 56 of the pick-up member follows the associated finger into the loop and separates the end of the item 26 in which the loop is formed from the stack 24 or, in the case of the last item, from platform 22.

As the end of the item is separated,'it engages and operates switch actuating mechanism 52, closing switch S50. This completes the circuit shown in FIG. 12, actuating counter 32 and causing the count shown by it to change.

Unless the end of the item is actually separated from the stack or base, actuating mechanism 52 is not engaged; switch S50 does not close; counter 32 is not actuated; and the count shown by it does not change. Therefore, until the end of the item is actually separated, it will not be counted. This eliminates the possibility of an item being counted twice.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 5-l0, counter head base plate 45 is fixed to the upper end of a boss 57 extending vertically from base of the counting device. Projecting upwardly from base plate 45 at one edge thereof is an integral elongated guide 58.

Fixed to base plate 45 in parallel, spaced relation to guide 58 is a second guide 60 of similar character. A slide 62 of pusher mechanism 46, which also includes an item-engaging member 64 and a return spring 66, is disposed between guides 58 and 60.

As best shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, slide 62 is a generally rectangular member with a longitudinally extending slot 67 therethrough. Pins 68 and 69 extending through slot 67 and fixed to guide members 58 and 60 confine slide 62 to the slot between the guide members and also limit vertical displacement of the slide relatively to its guides.

Sleeves 70 and 72 are rotatably journalled on pins 68 and 69 between guides 58 and 60 so that the slide can move freely.

The item-engaging member 64 of the pusher mechanism is fabricated from a resiliently deformable material such as rubber. This member is secured to the forward end 74 of slide 62 by a laterally offset bracket 76. The item-engaging member is glued or otherwise secured to the free end of this bracket.

The lower, rear end of the return spring 66 incorporated in the pusher mechanism is fixed to a projection 78 extending laterally from guide 58. The opposite, forward end of the spring is secured at a somewhat higher elevation to a pin 82. This pin extends laterally from and is attached to slide 62 adjacent its forward end.

In the operation of counting device 18, slide 62 and item-engaging member 64 are first displaced in the direction shown by arrow 84 in FIGS. 10a and 10b to form a loop in the item being counted and then returned in the opposite direction by spring 66 to initial or rest position shown in FIG. 9.

The forward displacement of the item-engaging member is effected by the rotary pick-up member 48. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pick-up member includes a shell 86 on which pick-up fingers 53 and 54 are formed and a depending hub 88. Pick-up member 48 is clamped by a threaded retainer 90 against a locating shoulder (not shown) adjacent the upper end of a vertical shaft 92. This shaft is rotatably supported from boss 57 by upper and lower bearings 93 and 94. Pickup member 48 is coupled to shaft 92 for rotation therewith by a pin 96 fixed to the shaft and extending into a notch 98 formed in the lower end of pick-up member hub 88.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, shaft 92 is rotated by motor M30 via a pulley 100 on the output shaft 102 of the motor, a pulley 104 fixed to the lower end of shaft 92, and an endless flexible belt 106 trained around the pulleys. With motor M30 energized, pick-up member 48 is rotated via shaft 92 in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by arrow 107 in FIG. 4.

Two diametrically opposed slide operators in the form of depending pins 108 and 110 are fixed to the top wall 112 of pick-up member shell 86. As the pick-up member rotates, first one and then the other of these pins engages a vertical shoulder 114 on the upper side of slide 62. As the rotation continues, the slide engaged pin advances and displaces the slide and the itemengaging member in the direction shown by arrow 84.

Referring now to FIGS. 10a and 10b, as pick-up member 48 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 116 and starts to move forwardly, pins 68 and 69 are both in the narrow part of slot 67 (see FIG. 9). Accordingly, the initial movement is horizontal, enabling itemengaging member 64 to clear any irregularities in the edge of the stack of items being counted because member 64 is in the stage of its movement spaced above stack 24 as shown in FIG. 9.

As the slide continues forwardly, a portion 118 of slot 67 of increased depth comes opposite rear guide pin 69 (see FIG. 10a). Item-engaging member 64 then begins to descend toward stack 64 as it moves forward because slide operators 108 and 110 engage shoulder 114 above the longitudinal axis of the pin 68, tending to rotate the slide clockwise about pin 68 as shown in FIG. 10a. The angle of descent to make member 64 engage the uppermost item 26 at a predetermined location is controlled by the shape and location of slot portion 118.

Once there is positive engagement between number 64 and the item 26, the member travels through the remainder of its forward movement to complete the formation of the loop in the item without an increase in the downward force exerted by the member on the item because of the oppositely directed, resistive force exerted by the items in stack 24 and because the rotational force exerted by slide operators 108 and 110 decreases. This allows the item to be readily displaced to the right as shown in FIGS. 9, 10a, and 10b to form the loop therein and minimizes the possibility of two items being simultaneously displaced.

As the loop is formed and one of the pick-up fingers 53 or 54 moves into it, the slide engaged pin rides off shoulder 114. This permits return spring 66 to move the slide and item-engaging member .in the direction opposite arrow 84 to the rest position of FIG. 9. Here, the slide is halted by a resilient member 119 fixed to upstanding base plate flange 120. Resilient member 119 cushions the impact as the slide reaches its rest position, protecting the slide against damage and lowering the noise level during the operation of the counting device.

It is of course not essential that member 48 have two pick-up fingers and two slide operating members as described above. The latter arrangement is preferred, however, as this results in the counting of two items 26 for each revolution of the pick-up member. Therefore, for a given speed of rotation of the pick-up member, the preferred arrangement has twice the counting capability of a pick-up member having one finger and one slide operator.

It will be apparent, also, that a larger number of pickup fingersand slide operators can be employed, if desired. The number employed is, however, subject to physical limitations on the number of pick-up fingers and operators which can be provided in the shell 86 of the pick-up member.

As mentioned previously, switch S50 and switch actuating mechanism 52 are provided so that the count indicated by register 32 will not change unless the end of the item being counted is actually separated from stack 24 or platform 22. As counting device 18 operates on the principle that the number of ends so separated is equal to the number of items in the stack, this insures against a false count being made if ends are not separated in one or more cycles during the counting operation.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 4 and 6-9, switch S50 includes a casing 121 fixed to pusher mechanism base plate 45 and an actuator 122 pivotally fixed to the casing. When the actuator is pivoted toward the casing, it depresses a plunger 124 to close the switch contacts (not shown).

Switch actuating mechanism 52 is designed to pivot switch actuator 122 in the contact closing direction upon the separation of the item 26 being counted. It is further constructed so that it will close the switch only in those cycles of operation in which such a separation actually occurs.

Actuating mechanism 52 includes a crank 126 pivotally mounted on a pin 128. The pin is fixed to and extends upwardly from counter head base plate 45.

Fixed to the crank for rotation therewith as by-a sleeve 129 is a cam 130, which is best shown in FIG. 5. Cam 130 engages a cam follower or roller 132 at the free end of switch actuator 122.

As shown in FIG. 4, one of the two arms 136 of crank 126 is positioned adjacent the path followed by the wedge-shaped portions 55 and 56 of counter head shell 86 as the latter rotates. However, it is located far enough away that the shell can not contact it as the pick-up member rotates. Thus, if the end of an item is not separated in an operating cycle, the actuating mechanism 52 remains undisturbed; switch S50 is not closed; and counter 32 is not actuated.

However, in the normal course of events, the end of the item is separated and lapped over one of the two wedge-shaped parts of pick-up member 48 as best shown in FIG. 4. The wedge-shaped part of the member pushes the end of the item against crank arm 136 (see FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7) as pick-up member 48 continues to rotate. This pivots the crank in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by arrow 140 in FIGS. 6 and 8, rotating cam 130 in the same direction.

Thus, as the crank arm pivots from the position identified as A in FIG. 8 to the position identified as B, cam 130 rotates from the position designated as A to that identified by B. This pivots switch actuator 122 from the solid line position to the dotted line position, depressing switch plunger 124 and closing the switch contacts. Thus, only if the end of the item being counted is actually displaced will switch S50 be closed.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, counting device 18 includes a transformer T142 having a primary connectable across an A.C. power source 144 and a secondary across which the input terminals ofa full wave rectifier 146 are connected. Counter 32 is connected across the output terminals of the rectifier in series with switch S50. Accordingly, only if the end of an item is actually displaced and switch S50 closed during the cycle of operation just discussed will counter 32 be actuated in the cycle to change the count shown thereby.

At a point in the operating cycle of counter head 28 subsequent to that just described, crank 126 and cam 130 are restored to their initial (or at rest) A and A positions by pick-up member 48 and a cam or lever 148.

Lever 148 is pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot member 150 fixed to and extending upwardly from counter head base plate 45. The opposite end of the lever is fixed by a pin and slot connection identified generally by reference character 152 to a second arm 154 of crank 126. Thus, when the crank is rotated from the position shown in full lines in FIG. 7 to that shown in dotted lines to close switch S50, it pivots lever 148 to the position shown in dotted lines in the same figure.

With the lever thus positioned, a cam surface 156 on the lever lies in the path of the slide actuators 108 and 110 fixed to pick-up member shell 86. As the pick-up member rotates, one of the actuators engages the lever, pivotally restoring it in a counter-clockwise direction to the full line position of FIG. 7. As this occurs, the lever rotates crank 126 and cam 130 in a clockwise direction back to the at rest positions shown in full lines in the same figure. Here, the crank and cam are halted, a stop forming edge 158 on cam 130 engaging a stationary stop 160 extending upwardly from counter head base plate 45.

The restoration of cam 130 to its rest position frees switch actuator 122 for pivotal movement back to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 8, allowing an internal spring in switch S50 (not shown) to open the switch contacts. This spring, acting through plunger 124 and actuator 122, also keeps the actuating crank and cam biased in their rest positions.

Turning now to FIGS. 14, the remaining major as sembly of counting device 18 is that in which item supporting platform 22 and operating/holddown lever 44 are incorporated. The assembly also includes a parallelogram linkage 164 supporting platform 22 for movement toward and away from counter head 28 as shown in FIG. 3 and a spring 166. The latter biases the compo nents of linkage 164 in a direction which maintains the platform in an upper or operative position in which the items 26 in the stack 24 being counted are engageable by the item-engaging member 64 of pusher mechanism As best shown by FIGS. 3 and 4, platform 22 has a top wall 168 and side and front skirts 170 and 172. The top wall is preferably covered with a member 173 made of a non-skid material to assist in retaining the items being counted in the proper position thereon.

At the rear of support 22 is a vertical and integral flange 174 by which the items being counted can be aligned on the support. Endwise, the items are positioned by boss 57 as shown in FIG. 9.

Referring next primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, the linkage 164 on which platform 22 is mounted includes two equal length links 175 and 176 joined by a transverse member 177 into an integral structure so that the links will move in unison. The lower, rear ends of the links are rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft 178. This shaft is supported by bosses 180 and 182 extending upwardly from counter base 20.

The forward or upper ends of the links are rotatably mounted on a second horizontal shaft 184 parallel to shaft 178. Shaft 184 is fixed to the underside of platform 22 by a bracket identified generally by reference character 186.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, a third link 192 equal in length to links 175 and 176 is connected to base and platform 22 by pivot pins 196 and 198 fixed to boss 180 and bracket 186, respectively. These pivot pins are located directly and equidistantly below pivot shafts 184 and 178 to form a parallel linkage. This keeps the top of the platform level as it is moved up and down toward and away from counter head 28.

Pivot pin 196 terminates in an eccentric as shown in FIG. 5. This permits platform 22 to be adjusted so that its item-supporting surface will be level. A stop 200 in the form of a screw threaded through boss 180 is loosened and platform 22 levelled by rotating pin 196 in the boss. Stop 200 is then tightened against pin 196 to retain it in the position to which it is adjusted and thereby keep the platform level.

Platform 22 is biased upwardly toward counter head 28 by spring 166. One end of the spring is fixed by a retainer 202 to base 20. The opposite end of the spring is hooked through a bracket 204 fitted into the lower, rear end of link 175 and fixed to the link for rotation therewith. Accordingly, the spring biases links 175 and 176 in a clockwise direction and the platform to is upper position.

The upward travel of platform 22 is limited by pickup member 48 engaging the uppermost item in the stack 24 on it. Extensions 206 and 208 of counter head base plate 45 which lie on opposite sides of the path traversed by the item-engageable member 64 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) keep the ends of the items in place. These extensions lie in a plane above that containing the lower edge of the pick-up member (typically about one-sixteenth inch). This is important in that, if the extensions were in the same place as the lower edge ofthe pick-up member or a lower plane, they would exert pressure on the ends of the items and keep them from being properly displaced by the pusher mechanism. That is, in the devices disclosed herein, it is important that the ends of the items be able to move freely in the loop forming step of the operating cycle.

Returning again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the platform displacing and holddown lever 44 is disposed between lugs 212 and 214 integral with and extending upwardly from the stack positioning member 174 at the rear edge of platform 22. A pivot pin 215 extends through the lever and is journalled in lugs 212 and 214.

A handle 216 is fixed to the free end of the lever to facilitate its manipulation.

Lever 44 is swung to the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3 to displace platform 22 away from counter head 28 so that a stack of items can be placed on or removed from the platform. The platform is then allowed to return to its uppermost position and the lever swung down to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 3.

In this position, a resilient member 218 fixed to the bottom of the lever is biased into engagement with the stack of items 26 on the platform to position them thereon by a vertically extending leaf spring 220 at the rear edge of the platform. The lower end of the spring is fixed by retainer 222 to a lug 224 projecting downwardly from the top wall 168 of the platform.

A rearwardly angled, upper end portion 225 of the spring engages a roller 226 mounted in the rear end of the lever on a shaft 228. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the leaf spring biases lever 44 in a clockwise direction about pivot member 215 through roller 226, pressing holddown member 218 against items 26.

As shown by phantom lines in FIG. 3, spring 220 also engages roller 226 but on the opposite side of the lever when the latter is rotated to its vertical position to displace platform 22 and to permit the removal of items 26 therefrom. As shown by FIG. 3, spring 220 also operates to retain the lever in this position.

Referring now to FIG. 11, motor M30 of the counting device is connected across the previously mentioned AC. power source 144 in series with the primary of 'transformer T142, on-off switch S36 and a contact 232-Cl of a relay R232 which also includes a conventional coil 232-H. As shown by FIG. 11, contact 232- C1 is open when the relay is de-energized. Accordingly, motor M30 cannot be energized to initiate the counting operation until the on-off switch is closed and relay R232 energized to close contact 232-C1.

Arc suppression is preferably provided for in the motor circuit. In the illustrated circuitry, this takes the form of a capacitor C234 and resistor R236 connected in series across relay contact 232-C1.

The closing of on-off switch S36 energizes the previously mentioned rectifier 146. This in turn energizes light source 40, which is connected across the output lll terminals of the rectifier (a capacitor C238 is also preferably connected across the rectifier output terminals to smooth the DC. output).

With one or more items present on platform 22, the beam emitted from light source 40 passes through aligned apertures 240 and 242 in the upper wall 168 of the platform and non-skid member 173 (see FIG. and is reflected from the lowermost item on the platform back through apertures 242 and 240 onto photocell detector 42. t

The detector emits a signal which is amplified in a conventional amplifier including transistors V244 and V246 and applied to the base of a third transistor V248, making its emitter-collector circuit conductive.

The counting operation can thereafter by initiated by momentarily depressing switch $38. This completes a circuit from the output side of rectifier 146 through the emitter-collector circuit of transistor V248, relay coil 232-l-I, and switch S38 to the opposite side of the rectifier output, energizing the relay. This causes its contact 232-C1 to close along with a second contact 232-C2, which is also open when the relay is de-energized. The closing of contact 232-Cl completes the circuit to motor M30, energizing the motor and rotating the pickup member 48 of counter head 28 to begin the counting operation.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second relay contact 232- C2 is connected in parallel with switch S38. Accordingly, upon energization of the relay, switch S38 can be released as the relay coil is then connected through contact 232-C2 to the rectifier.

The counting operation continues until the last item 26 in the stack 24 being counted is separated from platform 22. This interrupts the reflection of light onto detector 42. The output signal from the detector accordingly disappears, the bias is removed from the base of transistor V248, and the emitter-collector circuit of the transistor becomes non-conductive. This interrupts the connection between relay coil 232-l-I and its power source, rectifier 146.

The pick-up member 48 of counter head 28 will typically not have reached its initial or at rest position when the connection between the rectifier and relay R232 is interrupted. In this circumstance, I may include an auxiliary power source in the circuitry to keep the relay energized and motor M30 running until the at rest position is reached.

In the illustrated circuitry, the auxiliary power source is a capacitor C250 connected in parallel with relay coil 232-H across rectifier 146 and accordingly charged while the relay is energized. When the last item is separated from platform 22 and transistor V248 becomes non-conductive, capacitor C250 discharges through relay coil -232-I-I and holding circuit contact 232-C2. This keeps the relay energized and its contact 232-C1 in the motor circuit closed long enough for motor M30 to rotate pick-up member 48 to its initial position.

The relay then de-energizes, and contacts'232-C1 and 232-C2 open. This interrupts the supply of power to motor M30 to stop the counting operation and, also, interrupts the holding circuit for the relay coil. The circuitry remains in this configuration until a subsequent stack of items is positioned on platform 22 to make transistor V248 conductive and switch S38 is again closed to initiate a subsequent counting operation.

It will be apparent, in conjunction with the foregoing, that the item counter 32 can be either a forward counter or a down counter. A down counter will typically be utilized for ascertaining that the number of items in a stack is correct. In this case, a resettable counter is selected and set to the number of items which the stack is supposed to contain. The counter will show a decreasing count as the counting operation proceeds. If the last item is separated from platform 22 before the count reaches zero, the number of items in the stack is too small. And, if the count reaches zero before the last item is separated, the number of items is excessive. On the other hand, if the count reaches zero upon the separation of the last item, the number of items is correct.

A forward counter can instead obviously be employed to ascertain that the number of items in a stack is correct. This type of counter may also be employed to count the number of items in a stack where the number of items present is unknown.

In counting the number of items in a stack, it may also be desirable to stop the counting operation when a batch containing a preselected number of items has been counted and separated. As shown in FIG. 13, this may be readily accomplished by connecting a batch counter 252 in series with the coil 232-I-I of relay R232. The batch counter is an off-the-shelf item containing a contact (not shown) which opens when the count to which it is set is reached. This interrupts the connection between relay coil 232-I-I and rectifier 146, which terminates the counting operation in the manner de scribed previously.

Holddown lever 44 can then be pivoted upwardly, allowing the counted batch to be removed without disturbing the remai-nder of the stack on platform 22. The lever is subsequently returned to the holddown position, the batch counter reset, and switch S38 closed to count off another batch.

The batch counter can be either a forward or down counter. It may also have a totalizer to provide a count of the number ofitems in the stack being separated into batches.

As yet another option, a counter may be connected in series with relay coil 232-H in place of or in addition to a batch counter to provide a count of the number of stacks processed through the counting device. In this case I select a counter (commercially available) which can be actuated to advance the count shown thereby concomitantly with the energization of relay R232 (this occurs once for the counting of each stack). The batch counter may be resettable or non-resettable, if it is desired to provide a permanent indication of the number of stacks which have been counted by a particular counting device.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a support means; means for immobilizing a stack of items to be counted against said support means, a cyclically operable means for displacing like portions of successive items in the stack thereof thus immobilized; means for counting the number of like portions so separated and thus the number of items in the stack; and means including a member relative to which said displacing means is free to move displaceable by each said item as the like portion thereof is displaced to actuate said counter and change the count shown thereby.

2. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive items in said stack; means for counting the number of like portions so displaced; an electric motor for driving said cyclically operable mechanism through its operating cycle; a first circuit means for connecting said motor across an electrical power source; a control means operable when connected across said power source to complete and maintain the continuity of said first circuit means; means for interrupting the connection between the control means and the power source upon the displacement and counting of the last item in the stack; and an auxiliary power supply operable coincidentally with said interruption to maintain said control means in a condition in which it will keep said first circuit complete until said motor has driven the cyclically operable mechanism to an initial or rest position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said auxiliary power supply comprises a capacitor; means for connecting said capacitor across said power source during the period that the control means is connected thereacross to thereby charge said capacitor; and circuit means connecting said capacitor to said control means through which said capacitor can discharge when the connection between the power source and the control means is interrupted.

4. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items in the stack including an item engageable member displaceable from a first position to a second position to form a loop in the item engaged thereby and a rotatable means having a portion insertable in the loop to effect the separation of the item in which the loop is formed, and means for counting the number of portions so separated which includes an electrically operated counter and circuit means including a switch and actuating means adapted to be displaced from a first position to a second position by each said item portion as said item portion is separated to close the switch and connect said counter across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count shown by said counter.

5. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a displeable support means for the stack to be counted; a cyclically operable means for separating like portions of successive items in the stack therefrom and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means actuated by said cyclically operable mechanism for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and means displaceable with said support means for terminating the counting operation upon the separation of the like portion of the last item from said support means which comprises a light source and a photocell detector, there being an aperture in said support means and means fixing said light source and said detector to the support means below said aperture in an orientation such that,

with an item on said support means, light emanating from the light source passes through the aperture to said item and is reflected therefrom back through the aperture onto the detector.

6. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items seriatim from like portions of succeeding items in the stack and the like portion of the last item from the stack supporting means; and means for counting the number of like portions so separated, said cyclically operable mechanism including a slide, an item engageable means fixed to one end of said slide, means for so displacing said slideas to cause said item engageable means to first engage said like portion of said item and then displace said portion to form a loop therein, and pick-up means insertable into said loop to displace said like portion of said item and effect said separation thereof, said item engageable means being fabricated of a resiliently deformable material and including a support for fixing the item engageable means to said slide in offset relation to said one end thereof.

7. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a movable support means for the stack to be counted; a cyclically operable means for separating like portions of successive items in the stack therefrom and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means actuated by said cyclically operable mechanism for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and means movable with said support means for terminating the counting operation upon the separation of the like portion of the last item from said support means.

8. In apparatus for counting the number of items in each of a plurality of stacks thereof and for counting the number of stacks in which the items have been counted, first and second counter means; a cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive ones of the items in a stack thereof; means operable as each said item portion is displaced to actuate the first counter means and cause the count displayed thereby to change; an electric motor for operating said cyclically operable mechanism; a motor controlling circuit means for energizing the motor to initiate the counting of the items in a stack thereof and for deenergizing said motor when the last in a stack of items is counted to terminate the counting operation; and means so connecting said second counter means into said motor controlling circuit means that it will be actuated and the count displayed thereby changed coincidentally with each period of energization of said motor.

9. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items seriatim from like portions of succeeding items in the stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the stack supporting means; and means for counting the number of like portions so separated, said cyclically operable mechanism including a slide, a support, guide means mounted on said support, said slide being disposed in said guide means and said guide means having portions thereof confining the slide to movement in a generally horizontal path, an item engageable means fixed to one end of said slide, means for so displacing said slide as to cause said item engageable means to first engage said like portion of said item and then displace said portion to form a loop therein,

and pick-up means insertable into said loop to displace said like portion of said item and effect said separation thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said slide has an elongated slot therethrough and including a pair of stationary members extending through said slot at locations spaced therealong, a return spring, said spring being fixed at one end thereof adjacent one end of the slide and the other end of the spring being fixed relative to the stationary guide, that portion of the slot furtherest from said one end of the slide having a vertical dimension greater than that of the member extending therethrough and said one end of the return spring being connected at a higher level than the other end thereof whereby, as said slide is displaced relative to the guide, said slide can be pivoted about the other of the stationary members to engage the item engageable means with said item.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, together with a stationary holddown for the items being counted, said holddown being located adjacent the position occupied by the item engageable means when the slide is in an initial or rest position.

12. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items in the stack including an item engageable member displaceable from a first position to a second position to form a loop in the item engaged whereby and a rotatable means having a portion insertable in the loop to effect the separation of the item in which the loop is formed; means for counting the number of portions so separated which includes an electrically operated counter and circuit means including a switch and actuating means displaceable from a first position to a second position upon the separation of an item portion to close the switch and connect said counter. across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count shown by said counter; and means movable with said rotatable means for displacing said item engageable member from said first position to said second position and for restoring said switch actuating means from the second to the first position thereof to effect the opening of the switch.

13. The counting apparatus of claim 12, wherein there are a plurality of means movable with said rotatable means as aforesaid, whereby a plurality of cycles of operation of said cyclically operable mechanism may be effected and plural items therefore counted in each revolution of said rotatable means.

14. The counting apparatus of claim 12, together with resilient biasing means for restoring said item engageable member from said second position to said first position thereof.

15. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism including means for displacing like portions of successive items in said stack in subsequent operating cycles thereof; an electrically operated means for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and circuit means operable when completed to connect said counting means across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count registered by said counting means, said circuit means including a normally open switch, a first means for closing said switch upon the separation of an item portion, and a second means for subsequently effecting the opening of said switch in each cycle of operation in which a like portion is separated, the means for closing said switch including an actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position by an item portion as said portion is separated, said actuator being operable to close said switch as it is so displaced, and said apparatus further including a stationary stop means and first and second movable stop means which are displaceable with said actuator, said first and second movable stop means being engageable with said stationary stop means to halt said actuator in said first and second positions, respectively.

16. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechansim including means for displacing like portions of successive items in said stack in subsequent operating cycles thereof; an electrically operated means for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and circuit means operable when completed to connect said counting means across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count registered by said counting means, said circuit means including a normally open switch, a first means for closing said switch upon the separation of an item portion, and a second means for subsequently effecting the opening of said switch in each cycle of operation in which a like portion is separated, the means for closing said switch including an actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position by an item portion as said portion is separated, said actuator being operable to close said switch as it is so displaced, and said apparatus further including means incorporated in said cyclically operable mechanism for returning said actuator from said second position to said first position in each of the cycles of operation of said mechanism in which said actuator is first displaced to said second position,

17. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items in the stack including an item engageable member displaceable from a first position to a second position to form a loop in the item engaged thereby and a rotatable means having a portion insertable in the loop to effect the separation of the item in which the loop is formed, and means for counting the number of portions so separated which includes an electrically operated counter and circuit means including a switch and actuating means displaceable from a first position to a second position upon the separation of an item portion to close the switch and connect said counter across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count shown by said counter, said actuating means comprising a pivotally mounted crank having a first arm adapted to be engaged by the item being separated and a second arm, and said apparatus further including means for restoring the switch actuating means to said first position including a cam member mounted at one end for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the crank and fixed at its other end to the second crank arm, there being a cam surface on said cam member so configured that, as said rotatable means rotates, the means movable therewith engages and moves relative to said surface to pivot said cam member and thereby pivotally displace said crank member to the first position thereof.

18. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: support means on which the stack of items can be disposed; a cyclically operable mechanism including means for displacing like portions of successive items from the stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means for counting the number of said like portions so displaced; a base; and means so mounting said support means on said base that said support means can be moved away from said cyclically operable mechanism to facilitate the removal of a stack of counted items therefrom and/or the placement of a stack of items to be counted thereon, said mounting means comprising a first horizontal pivot member supported from said base; a second horizontal pivot member fixed to said support means and extending in the same direction as said first pivot member; first and second equal length links, each journalled at one end on the first pivot member and at the other on the second pivot member, said links being spaced laterally of said support means; means for biasing said links in such a direction relative to said support means as to effect an upward movement of said support means; means for limiting the upward movement of said support means; an operator engageable component for moving said support means downwardly against the influence exerted by said biasing means; and means for keeping an item supporting surface on said support means level as the suport means is lowered and elevated.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, together with means connecting said links into a unitary structure so that they will move concomitantly.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for maintaining the support means level comprises a third link and third and fourth pivot members so fixing said third link to said fourth link that lines connecting the pivot axes of the first, second, third, and fourth pivot members form a parallelogram.

21. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items from said stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from said support means; a motor for operating said cyclically operable mechanism; means for counting the number of said item portions separated as aforesaid; circuit means for connecting said motor across an electrical power source; and means for controlling the operation of said motor by interrupting and completing the continuity of said circuit means which includes a relay having a coil and a contact in said circuit means which is open when said relay is deenergized and control means operable when there is a stack of items on said support means to cause current to flow through and energize said relay and close the contact thereof, thereby completing said circuit means to operate said motor, said control means being effective upon the separation of the last item from the support means to interrupt the flow of current to and thereby de-energize said relay, whereby the contact thereof will open, stopping the motor and terminating the counting operation, said control means comprising a normally non-conductive solid state device in series with said relay coil and means operable for so long as there is an item on said support means to make said solid state device conductive which includes a light source oriented to direct a beam of light onto an item on said support means; a detector oriented to receive light reflected from said item and generate an output signal in response thereto; and means for applying said signal to said solid state device to make said device conductive.

22. The counting apparatus of claim 21, wherein said relay includes a second, normally open contact in series with the relay coil and a shunt circuit around said second contact, there being a biased open, operator actuatable, counting operation initiating switch means in said circuit which can be closed to energize said relay and close said second contact, whereby said relay will remain energized through said contact until the last item is separated from the support means, terminating the reflection oflight onto the detector and the generation of the detector output signal, thereby causing the solid state device to become non-conductive and the relay to de-energize and cause said motor to stop to terminate the counting operation.

23. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive items from said stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means for counting the number of like portions displaced as aforesaid; means mounting said support means for movement between a first position in which the said like portions of the items are displaceable by the cyclically operable mechanism and a second position in which stacks of items can be readily removed from and placed on said support means; an operator manipulatable member for moving said support means from one to the other of said positions; said member being movable relative to said support means; and means movable with said member for biasing the items in said stack against said support means to keep them in the proper orientation relative to said means, said item support means having a generally horizontal surface for supporting the stack of items to be counted and an upstanding bracket at one side thereof, and the apparatus also including means fixing said operator manipulatable member to said bracket means for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis relative thereto and means for biasing the operator manipulatable member toward said horizontal surface to thereby press the means movable therewith against a stack of items disposed on said horizontal surface.

24. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a vertically immovable, cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive items from said stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means for counting the number of like portions displaced as aforesaid; means mounting said support means for movement between a first position in which the said like portions of the items are displaceable by the cyclically operable mechanism and a second position in which stacks of items can be readily removed from and placed on said support means; an operator manipulatable member for moving said support means from one to the other of said positions, said member being movable relative to said support means; and means movable with said member for biasing the items in said stack against said support means to keep them in the proper orientation relative to said means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO'. 66,828

DATED February 18, 1975 INVENTORtS) :Robert D. Young It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 63, change "FIG." to -FIGS..

Column 6, line 56, after "116 and" insert -the slide--.

Column 9, line 67, change "is" to -its-.

Claim 5, line 2, change "displeable" to -displaceab1e-.

Claim 12, line 6, change "whereby" to '-thereby-.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of April 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT-NO. 3,866,828 DATED February 18, 1975 iNVENTOR( :Robert D. Young it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 8

Column 4, line 63, change "FIG." to -FIGS.--.

Column 6, line 56, after "116 and" insert -the slide-.

Column 9, line 67, change "is" to -its-.

Claim 5, line 2, change "displeable" to displaceable-.

Claim 12, line 6, change "whereby" to '-thereby-.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of April 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

1. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a support means; means for immobilizing a stack of items to be counted against said support means, a cyclically operable means for displacing like portions of successive items in the stack thereof thus immobilized; means for counting the number of like portions so separated and thus the number of items in the stack; and means including a member relative to which said displacing means is free to move displaceable by each said item as the like portion thereof is displaced to actuate said counter and change the count shown thereby.
 2. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive items in said stack; means for counting the number of like portions so displaced; an electric motor for driving said cyclically operable mechanism through its operating cycle; a first circuit means for connecting said motor across an electrical power source; a control means operable when connected across said power source to complete and maintain the continuity of said first circuit means; means for interrupting the connection between the control means and the power source upon the displacement and counting of the last item in the stack; and an auxiliary power supply operable coincidentally with said interruption to maintain said control means in a condition in which it will keep said first circuit complete until said motor has driven the cyclically operable mechanism to an initial or rest position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said auxiliary power supply comprises a capacitor; means for connecting said capacitor across said power source during the period that the control means is connected thereacross to thereby charge said capacitor; and circuit means connecting said capacitor to said control means through which said capacitor can discharge when the connection between the power source and the control means is interrupted.
 4. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereOf, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items in the stack including an item engageable member displaceable from a first position to a second position to form a loop in the item engaged thereby and a rotatable means having a portion insertable in the loop to effect the separation of the item in which the loop is formed, and means for counting the number of portions so separated which includes an electrically operated counter and circuit means including a switch and actuating means adapted to be displaced from a first position to a second position by each said item portion as said item portion is separated to close the switch and connect said counter across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count shown by said counter.
 5. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a displeable support means for the stack to be counted; a cyclically operable means for separating like portions of successive items in the stack therefrom and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means actuated by said cyclically operable mechanism for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and means displaceable with said support means for terminating the counting operation upon the separation of the like portion of the last item from said support means which comprises a light source and a photocell detector, there being an aperture in said support means and means fixing said light source and said detector to the support means below said aperture in an orientation such that, with an item on said support means, light emanating from the light source passes through the aperture to said item and is reflected therefrom back through the aperture onto the detector.
 6. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items seriatim from like portions of succeeding items in the stack and the like portion of the last item from the stack supporting means; and means for counting the number of like portions so separated, said cyclically operable mechanism including a slide, an item engageable means fixed to one end of said slide, means for so displacing said slide as to cause said item engageable means to first engage said like portion of said item and then displace said portion to form a loop therein, and pick-up means insertable into said loop to displace said like portion of said item and effect said separation thereof, said item engageable means being fabricated of a resiliently deformable material and including a support for fixing the item engageable means to said slide in offset relation to said one end thereof.
 7. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a movable support means for the stack to be counted; a cyclically operable means for separating like portions of successive items in the stack therefrom and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means actuated by said cyclically operable mechanism for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and means movable with said support means for terminating the counting operation upon the separation of the like portion of the last item from said support means.
 8. In apparatus for counting the number of items in each of a plurality of stacks thereof and for counting the number of stacks in which the items have been counted, first and second counter means; a cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive ones of the items in a stack thereof; means operable as each said item portion is displaced to actuate the first counter means and cause the count displayed thereby to change; an electric motor for operating said cyclically operable mechanism; a motor controlling circuit means for energizing the motor to initiate the counting of the items in a stack therEof and for de-energizing said motor when the last in a stack of items is counted to terminate the counting operation; and means so connecting said second counter means into said motor controlling circuit means that it will be actuated and the count displayed thereby changed coincidentally with each period of energization of said motor.
 9. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items seriatim from like portions of succeeding items in the stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the stack supporting means; and means for counting the number of like portions so separated, said cyclically operable mechanism including a slide, a support, guide means mounted on said support, said slide being disposed in said guide means and said guide means having portions thereof confining the slide to movement in a generally horizontal path, an item engageable means fixed to one end of said slide, means for so displacing said slide as to cause said item engageable means to first engage said like portion of said item and then displace said portion to form a loop therein, and pick-up means insertable into said loop to displace said like portion of said item and effect said separation thereof.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said slide has an elongated slot therethrough and including a pair of stationary members extending through said slot at locations spaced therealong, a return spring, said spring being fixed at one end thereof adjacent one end of the slide and the other end of the spring being fixed relative to the stationary guide, that portion of the slot furtherest from said one end of the slide having a vertical dimension greater than that of the member extending therethrough and said one end of the return spring being connected at a higher level than the other end thereof whereby, as said slide is displaced relative to the guide, said slide can be pivoted about the other of the stationary members to engage the item engageable means with said item.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, together with a stationary holddown for the items being counted, said holddown being located adjacent the position occupied by the item engageable means when the slide is in an initial or rest position.
 12. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items in the stack including an item engageable member displaceable from a first position to a second position to form a loop in the item engaged whereby and a rotatable means having a portion insertable in the loop to effect the separation of the item in which the loop is formed; means for counting the number of portions so separated which includes an electrically operated counter and circuit means including a switch and actuating means displaceable from a first position to a second position upon the separation of an item portion to close the switch and connect said counter across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count shown by said counter; and means movable with said rotatable means for displacing said item engageable member from said first position to said second position and for restoring said switch actuating means from the second to the first position thereof to effect the opening of the switch.
 13. The counting apparatus of claim 12, wherein there are a plurality of means movable with said rotatable means as aforesaid, whereby a plurality of cycles of operation of said cyclically operable mechanism may be effected and plural items therefore counted in each revolution of said rotatable means.
 14. The counting apparatus of claim 12, together with resilient biasing means for restoring said item engageable member from said second position to said first position thereof.
 15. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism including means for displacing like portions of successive items in said stack in subsequent operating cycles thereof; an electrically operated means for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and circuit means operable when completed to connect said counting means across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count registered by said counting means, said circuit means including a normally open switch, a first means for closing said switch upon the separation of an item portion, and a second means for subsequently effecting the opening of said switch in each cycle of operation in which a like portion is separated, the means for closing said switch including an actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position by an item portion as said portion is separated, said actuator being operable to close said switch as it is so displaced, and said apparatus further including a stationary stop means and first and second movable stop means which are displaceable with said actuator, said first and second movable stop means being engageable with said stationary stop means to halt said actuator in said first and second positions, respectively.
 16. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechansim including means for displacing like portions of successive items in said stack in subsequent operating cycles thereof; an electrically operated means for counting the number of like portions so displaced; and circuit means operable when completed to connect said counting means across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count registered by said counting means, said circuit means including a normally open switch, a first means for closing said switch upon the separation of an item portion, and a second means for subsequently effecting the opening of said switch in each cycle of operation in which a like portion is separated, the means for closing said switch including an actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position by an item portion as said portion is separated, said actuator being operable to close said switch as it is so displaced, and said apparatus further including means incorporated in said cyclically operable mechanism for returning said actuator from said second position to said first position in each of the cycles of operation of said mechanism in which said actuator is first displaced to said second position.
 17. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items in the stack including an item engageable member displaceable from a first position to a second position to form a loop in the item engaged thereby and a rotatable means having a portion insertable in the loop to effect the separation of the item in which the loop is formed, and means for counting the number of portions so separated which includes an electrically operated counter and circuit means including a switch and actuating means displaceable from a first position to a second position upon the separation of an item portion to close the switch and connect said counter across an electrical power source to actuate and thereby change the count shown by said counter, said actuating means comprising a pivotally mounted crank having a first arm adapted to be engaged by the item being separated and a second arm, and said apparatus further including means for restoring the switch actuating means to said first position including a cam member mounted at one end for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the crank and fixed at its other end to the second crank arm, there being a cam surface on said cam member so configured that, as said rotatable means rotates, the means movable therewith engages and moves relative to said surface to pivot said cam member and thereby pivotally displace said crank member to the first position thereof.
 18. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: support means on which the stack of items can be disposed; a cyclically operable mechanism including means for displacing like portions of successive items from the stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means for counting the number of said like portions so displaced; a base; and means so mounting said support means on said base that said support means can be moved away from said cyclically operable mechanism to facilitate the removal of a stack of counted items therefrom and/or the placement of a stack of items to be counted thereon, said mounting means comprising a first horizontal pivot member supported from said base; a second horizontal pivot member fixed to said support means and extending in the same direction as said first pivot member; first and second equal length links, each journalled at one end on the first pivot member and at the other on the second pivot member, said links being spaced laterally of said support means; means for biasing said links in such a direction relative to said support means as to effect an upward movement of said support means; means for limiting the upward movement of said support means; an operator engageable component for moving said support means downwardly against the influence exerted by said biasing means; and means for keeping an item supporting surface on said support means level as the suport means is lowered and elevated.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, together with means connecting said links into a unitary structure so that they will move concomitantly.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for maintaining the support means level comprises a third link and third and fourth pivot members so fixing said third link to said fourth link that lines connecting the pivot axes of the first, second, third, and fourth pivot members form a parallelogram.
 21. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for separating like portions of succeeding items from said stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from said support means; a motor for operating said cyclically operable mechanism; means for counting the number of said item portions separated as aforesaid; circuit means for connecting said motor across an electrical power source; and means for controlling the operation of said motor by interrupting and completing the continuity of said circuit means which includes a relay having a coil and a contact in said circuit means which is open when said relay is de-energized and control means operable when there is a stack of items on said support means to cause current to flow through and energize said relay and close the contact thereof, thereby completing said circuit means to operate said motor, said control means being effective upon the separation of the last item from the support means to interrupt the flow of current to and thereby de-energize said relay, whereby the contact thereof will open, stopping the motor and terminating the counting operation, said control means comprising a normally non-conductive solid state device in series with said relay coil and means operable for so long as there is an item on said support means to make said solid state device conductive which includes a light source oriented to direct a beam of light onto an item on said support means; a detector oriented to receive light reflected from said item and generate an output signal in response thereto; and means for applying said signal to said solid state device to make said device conductive.
 22. The counting apparatus of claim 21, wherein said relay includes a second, normally open contact in series with the relay coil and a shunt circuit around said second contact, there being a biased open, operator actuatable, counting operation initiating sWitch means in said circuit which can be closed to energize said relay and close said second contact, whereby said relay will remain energized through said contact until the last item is separated from the support means, terminating the reflection of light onto the detector and the generation of the detector output signal, thereby causing the solid state device to become non-conductive and the relay to de-energize and cause said motor to stop to terminate the counting operation.
 23. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive items from said stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means for counting the number of like portions displaced as aforesaid; means mounting said support means for movement between a first position in which the said like portions of the items are displaceable by the cyclically operable mechanism and a second position in which stacks of items can be readily removed from and placed on said support means; an operator manipulatable member for moving said support means from one to the other of said positions; said member being movable relative to said support means; and means movable with said member for biasing the items in said stack against said support means to keep them in the proper orientation relative to said means, said item support means having a generally horizontal surface for supporting the stack of items to be counted and an upstanding bracket at one side thereof, and the apparatus also including means fixing said operator manipulatable member to said bracket means for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis relative thereto and means for biasing the operator manipulatable member toward said horizontal surface to thereby press the means movable therewith against a stack of items disposed on said horizontal surface.
 24. Apparatus for counting the number of items in a stack thereof, comprising: means for supporting the stack of items to be counted; a vertically immovable, cyclically operable mechanism for displacing like portions of successive items from said stack and the like portion of the last item in the stack from the support means; means for counting the number of like portions displaced as aforesaid; means mounting said support means for movement between a first position in which the said like portions of the items are displaceable by the cyclically operable mechanism and a second position in which stacks of items can be readily removed from and placed on said support means; an operator manipulatable member for moving said support means from one to the other of said positions, said member being movable relative to said support means; and means movable with said member for biasing the items in said stack against said support means to keep them in the proper orientation relative to said means. 